Tension and Ease.
As I sit in the midst of 5-star picture-perfect Bali bliss, I’m confronted by feelings that are difficult to process. Yesterday at this time we were deep in the heart of the Balinese jungle, stumbling down makeshift mud pathways lined by bamboo and tarp huts. Where the only sounds were of local livestock and the heat was thick and smouldering. The locals go about their way of life simply and humbly - cultivating the land with makeshift tools, and preparing meals on cauldrons over the fire or on small grills. They work low to the ground and for hours on end. The contrast is sharp as I sit in an oversized chair, fan twirling overhead, waterfall below with grounds that are immaculately maintained for wealthy clientele like me. This is the definition of privilege - confronting two alternate existences in the same moment and realizing that you have drawn the more fortunate stick by no means of your own. Although our time in Nusa Penida, a small Island off the coast of Southern Bali, was indeed uncomfortable, it was also profound.
We sought out this tiny speck on Earth to swim amongst the great giant Manta Rays at Manta Bay. And although we were "touch and go" for a few moments (mostly Oscar who was all but tossed in the water by our boat operator), once we were submerged in warm salty waters we immediately assumed the calm, graceful demeanour of these sea creatures. For over 30 minutes, at least a dozen or so playfully curious mantas dove rolled and glided amongst their doe-eyed patrons. Once they decided to carry on out to sea we were loaded back into our Jakung, a traditional Balinese outrigger fishing boat, and continued our explorations of the reefs and its inhabitants. India and I transitioned from moments of calm mesmerization as we followed sea turtles to terrified flutter kicks when sea life felt a little too otherworldly. Dan and his best crew mate, Oscar, however, spent hours hypnotized by the ocean and spotted eels, puffer fish and schools of blue tangs etc… Salt licked and sandy, Oscar declared it “the best day of his life”. My most poignant moment, was when we discovered a delicious satay chicken and rice dish which was prepared by a local family who owned a small hut on the beach. You could see the pride in their smiles when we returned for a second visit on the same day and I relished in the simple joy of observing our dinner being carefully prepared on a piping fire grill (and then dipped in a homemade peanut marinade) while the sun faded into the water.
Our short stay in Bali, Indonesia has afforded me many feels and for these I am grateful. I feel fortunate to be challenged to see beyond the obvious lush, tropical and colourful Bali that people dream about. When I close my eyes, I will undoubtedly recall Balinese sunsets which transition from an all-around effervescent glow into an intense boiling orb that slips beneath the horizon and then lights up the entire landscape in tie-dyed brilliance. But I will also keep close to my heart the primitive way of life that I observed here. A type of life that finds itself at a crossroads as the realities of making a living income deeply impact and upheave the traditional way of life and its environment.
As we are mid-way through our journey, a brief update on our stance on world school. As a family, we are without a doubt, more connected and invested than we have ever been. We find little ways to lift each other daily, be it a foot massage for a tired Daddy who has been schlepping the heavy bags, or affording Mom time and space as she conjures up the words for this blog. We’ve uncovered more about our children as individuals and learners than we ever could have imagined and are differentiating their teaching experiences to make them more engaged learners each day. We’ve discovered that India is a beautiful little writer who has relaxed into a comfortable travelling pace filled with finding daily joys. We’ve uncovered that Oscar is a brilliant mental mathematician who is naturally talented in many facets but requires structure and a plan each step of the way. This experience for Dan and I has been fluid and unwavering - if there’s one thing we have always done easily together it's travel and this journey has been no exception.
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